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Israel's Violence Industry Facing Hard Times
By Mohamed al-Saleh
JERUSALEM (IslamOnline) - An Israeli company that provides Israeli army mercenaries for hire to dictators in the developing world looking for trained bodyguards has hit tough times as democracy spreads around the globe.
Arnon Ganaba, Vice President of Yegal Security Services, a company specializing in sending Israeli mercenaries abroad, told Israeli Army radio on Monday that the spread of democracy in Africa and Latin America, the firm's main two markets, has seriously slashed his profits.
Ganaba, who has dealt directly with dictators in Latin America and Africa over the past three decades, said Latin America transformed first causing less of a demand for Israeli army officers now.
The Israeli businessman complained that his profits were not what they used to be as compared with the 1980s and 1970s when, at one point, they reached $100 million.
Ganaba declined to give out the names of dictators or states that deal with his company.
Ganaba said his company has representative offices in almost all African and Latin American capitals to meet the demand for experienced and well-trained body guards who charge at least $100,000 a year.
Israel possesses a large compulsory conscript army that requires all Israelis, once they reach 18 years of age, to serve their time in the military. Females as well are conscripted. Israeli citizens remain on as reserves until they reach 45 years, a relatively late age compared to neighboring countries that write off of reservists after reaching age 32.
The Israeli army is generally thought to be one of the world's most sophisticated and well equipped. It regularly sends personnel to several joint training programs within different countries. The U.S., the world's top military superpower, has pledged to maintain the Israeli state's qualitative superiority over its Arab neighbors.
Ganaba confesses that some of his employees have been used to directly aid in quelling opposition groups, cracking down on them regardless of human rights issues and abuses. The former Brigadier General said he has no qualms about helping such dictators.
"The only trouble is that there will not be too many dictators left in Africa either soon," Ganaba said.
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